Skip to main content

Table 6 Examples from children’s and parents’ description of commonly used coping strategies

From: I don’t want to think about it: a qualitative study of children (6–18 years) with rheumatic diseases and parents’ experiences with regular needle injections at home

Coping strategies

Children’s quotations

Parent’s quotations

Distraction

“I often watch TV or iPad or play a game when the injection is prepared” (Several, II)

“We have used a bunch of distraction techniques, like singing, watching movies, soft toys, cold and siblings ….” (Several, II and FG)

Rewards

“Toys, chocolate, fun adhesive plaster, poster with stickers, Lego” (Several, II and FG)

“The effect of rewards must not be underestimated” (Parent of 11-year old child, FG)

Control

“I have less control with a pen than a syringe, and I don’t appreciate that very much”. (16-year-old child, II)

“I think it has been helpful for her to decide something herself” (Parent of 16-year-old child, II)

Relaxation

“When I’m thinking of something I’m looking forward to, I get relaxed” (14-year-old child, FG)

“We practiced breathing techniques in the evenings and a bit yoga, until we felt calm and relaxed” (Parent of 6-year-old child, II)

Increasing knowledge and technical skills

“I think parents should inform their child what is going to happen, and to agree” (15-year-old child, II)

“It is easier when your child understand the reason why she needs the injection” (Parent of 8-year-old child, FG)

Pharmacological Strategies

“I used Emla before, but then I couldn’t deal with it anymore” (13-year-old child, FG)

“He doesn’t use Emla anymore – it didn’t help” (Parent of 14-year-old child, FG)

  1. Abbreviations: II Information from an individual interview, FG Information from a focus group